My husband, Jay, and I found out we were pregnant again in September of 2009.  After a 32 hour labor, my first daughter’s birth had ended in a c-section. At my very first OB appointment for my second pregnancy, I asked my doctor for her view on VBAC’s.  She said we could discuss it when I was further along; I was only 6 weeks, after all.

This pregnancy was great!  Very little hip pain compared to my first pregnancy, and minimal nausea.  At the beginning of the second trimester we began interviewing doulas.  Choosing a doula was such a difficult decision. We met with some amazing women! We finally agreed that Esther Trneny was the best match for us, and Jessica Fuss agreed to be our backup doula. We also started the Hypnobabies Program to prepare for the birth.   I let our OB know that we planned on using Hypnobabies and that we would have a doula present at the birth. I also mentioned our desire for a VBAC again. She agreed we could try, but wanted me to be prepared that there was probably a reason why my first daughter did not descend into the birth canal, and it could very well happen again.

The months flew by so quickly and before I knew it the third trimester was here. Before my 32 week appointment I decided I needed to find out exactly where my doctor was in regards to supporting our VBAC attempt. Saying we could try was great, but I needed to know that she was in my corner. I went in with a list of questions. Because my doctor did not deliver my first daughter, my big question was that if she was not on call when I went into labor, would the back-up support my desire for an unmedicated VBAC, or would/could they insist on surgery.  She said there were doctors at the hospital who did not like to attend VBACs and they could push for surgery.  That right there was a huge deal breaker for me.  I realized that I did not want to spend the rest of my pregnancy and then my labor worrying about if I was going to receive the support I needed to make this VBAC happen. I absolutely adored my doctor, but knew I needed to find a different birthing facility and care provider.   I knew that our VBAC attempt might not be successful, but I needed the opportunity to try.

I began polling everyone I knew who had a VBAC and learned that Memorial Hospital was approved by the Rhode Island Birth Network as “VBAC Supportive” and designated as “Mother-Friendly”.   I was given three names.  Mary Mumford Haley, Dr. John Morton, and Dr. Susanna Magee.   A friend of mine was a patient of Dr. Magee’s and she gave me her email address.   I sent off an email not expecting a response, doctors are busy people!  Imagine my surprise when Dr. Magee responded offering to meet with me along with Dr. Morton.  That Monday I met with Mary Mumford Haley, a midwife who friends told me, “really WAS all that”, and Doctors Morton and Magee on Friday.  They were all wonderful.  The most amazing moment was when the doctors told me that they would support me 100% in my VBAC attempt.  Really?!?  They were doctors! They weren’t supposed to say that!  I decided that I wanted Mary to be my midwife.  Because Dr. Morton was her surgical backup, I knew I had found a completely supportive team.  I officially made the switch at 34 weeks.

At my 36 week appointment I was thrilled to find out I was already 3cm and 80% effaced.  Great!  Maybe I would be meeting my baby sooner than later!  Nope…At 38 weeks I was 5cm and on several occasions had started contracting regularly.  Then, the surges would just disappear.  Two days before my due date they started again.  I didn’t pay much attention or get my hopes up.  I had been walking around at 5 cm for a couple of weeks now and the surges had been playing hide and seek for just as long.  I tried to go to bed but lying down was extremely uncomfortable, so I got up and turned on my Hypnobabies tracks.  I made sure my toddler’s things were packed for her grandparent’s and that we had everything we needed for the hospital just in case.  Around 11pm I realized the surges were coming closer together and decided I should time them.  They were regular and a little over 7 minutes apart I hopped in the shower and stayed there for a VERY long time.  Shortly before 1am my surges were about 5 minutes apart.  I called Mary and our doula, Esther, and let them know we were heading in to the hospital.  We arrived at 1:40am.  As long as I was on my feet moving and rocking, I was able to focus and stay relaxed.  I walked into the Emergency Room to check in, and then to labor and delivery area where I met our nurse.  She asked me if I was in labor and I assured her that I was. She hooked me up to the monitor and could see that I really was, and I was 2 to 3 minutes apart. Mary popped her head into the room to ask me if I was laboring.  I told her definitely.   Our doula, Esther, arrived about fifteen minutes after we did and jumped right in to helping me move and vocalize through the surges.  Mary came in to check how much I had dilated.  I remember asking for it to be quick because I really just wanted to stay upright and keep rocking.  She checked me and informed us that I was 9cm!   She left the room, and wasn’t gone even two minutes before I said, “Oh dear…I think I need to push!”.  A nurse went to grab Mary and they were both back very quickly.  With that first push I immediately felt the difference from my first daughter’s birth.  I knew she had moved down and that this baby was coming out the right way.   I remember Mary saying, “You are so strong!” She told me that with that first push, our baby had moved from 0 station to 3!  Also, with that first push, came a dip in our baby’s heart rate.  Immediately, Mary instructed me to change positions.  I remember thinking, “How can I change positions?  There’s a head down there somewhere!” Before I knew it she grabbed my arm and was helping me turn.  Thankfully, our baby’s heart rate went right back up.  Because of the heart rate scare, Dr. Morton arrived shortly thereafter.  I was very glad he was there, but even more glad that we would not need his surgical expertise.  With encouraging words from this incredible team, a mere 35 minutes later, I was holding our new daughter in my arms.  Avery Ellen arrived at 3:11am weighting 8lbs 11oz.

The differences in recovery between a c-section and VBAC are amazing!  I was able to get out of the delivery bed and walk down the hall to our room.  I hopped right in the shower and was able to crawl into bed.  I didn’t have to maneuver around an incision to nurse my daughter.  The next day I was able to scoop up my toddler and smothered her in hugs and kisses and carry her down the hall to meet her baby sister.

I am so grateful that my daughter was born at Memorial.   I know this VBAC would not have been possible if I had not switched hospitals and care providers.  I found an amazing group of medical professionals who are not afraid to allow a woman’s body to do what it knows how to do, even after she’s had a c-section. I’m also very grateful to Kelly, Carla, and Sheri…my Bellani Moms…for their support, being incredible resources and VBAC Inspirations for me.

Thank you, Amanda, for sharing your personal story!